Are the NJ Devils already collapsing?

[Halakitlikethat]

It’s a long season

 

[NickyFotiu]

The Devils have some nice players. They are not done. They were not as good as their record this year or as bad as their record last year. They will have some ups and downs just like most teams. Where do they level off? Time will tell.

 

[New Jersey]

A regression, quantified:

 

[HockeyVirus]

Lol. This will be a fun bump.

IDK 5 losses in a row now. Halfway to my 10 game losing streak prediction that you laughed at.

But at least you guys won the cup in November before the wheels fell off.

 

[SensFan4lyfe]

IDK 5 losses in a row now. Halfway to my 10 game losing streak prediction that you laughed at.

But at least you guys won the cup in November before the wheels fell off.

I mean you are right :O

No young team has ever lost 5 in a row

I mean there has never one time been even an elite team that went on a losing streak omg

They should trade hughes and rebuild

WRONG

There is such thing as growing pains

Learning to play at that tempo for 82 games

Learning to play defense

Developing chemistry as a roster

Learning to handle from defeat and not lower your morale

all elite teams face these issues

The devils are currently going through this

They will recover, you need to learn how to lose before you can learn to win

I think this happened to this devils team last year

 

[Gurglesons]

A regression, quantified:

Expected goals mean nothing.

Not a hit on the Devils, but this literally means nothing.

The Devils have some nice players. They are not done. They were not as good as their record this year or as bad as their record last year. They will have some ups and downs just like most teams. Where do they level off? Time will tell.

Coach is still a big problem in Jersey.

 

[SensFan4lyfe]

Expected goals mean nothing.

Not a hit on the Devils, but this literally means nothing.



Coach is still a big problem in Jersey.

How is the coach the issue?

WHAT lol

this is absurb

Why do people always feel the need to blame the coach

Ruff has done wonders in Jersey

Sometimes teams hit bad luck

you dont always need to blame someone when there is bad luck

 

[Gurglesons]

How is the coach the issue?

WHAT lol

this is absurb

Why do people always feel the need to blame the coach

Ruff has done wonders in Jersey

Sometimes teams hit bad luck

you dont always need to blame someone when there is bad luck

Ruff established a offensive only approach as he did in multiple other places that gets worked defensively against teams that “play the right way”.

If the Devils bring in a coach that can get their stars committed to playing defense they’ll be better for it.

Especially when you consider Hischer is already a 2 way stud, Hughes has taken leaps, and they’ve got a nice group of defensive defensemen in Marino and Siegs.

 

[New Jersey]

Expected goals mean nothing.

Not a hit on the Devils, but this literally means nothing.



Coach is still a big problem in Jersey.

Does any of this really mean anything?

 

[Forge]

The Devils massive lead on the Metro has pretty much evaporated. Wouldn't surprise me to see them in the Wild Card spot soon

I would be okay with that. It would be weird to jump from bottom feeder to 110 point elite destroyer of worlds. Even the Avs went from 48 points to "only" 95. I would love to win a playoff series, but getting there is a step that can't be understated for a team that is young with a core that will likely be the focal point for more than the next half decade.

 

[Gurglesons]

Does any of this really mean anything?

Yes. The game is defined by actual goals going in the net versus the other team.

I would be okay with that. It would be weird to jump from bottom feeder to 110 point elite destroyer of worlds. Even the Avs went from 48 points to "only" 95. I would love to win a playoff series, but getting there is a step that can't be understated for a team that is young with a core that will likely be the focal point for more than the next half decade.

Makes more sense for them to continue to save assets and make a bigger run in a couple years versus spending anything this year.

May result in Bratt being gone, but oh well.

 

[New Jersey]

Yes. The game is defined by actual goals going in the net versus the other team.

Thanks!

 

[snipes]

Their fans were a little arrogant to start the season. They will likely be fine though and make the playoffs.

They’ll get bounced in the first round when the physicality ramps up along with the refs not calling the clutch and grabs along with not calling all the blatant obstruction.

 

[authentic]

They’ll get bounced in the first round when the physicality ramps up along with the refs not calling the clutch and grabs along with not calling all the blatant obstruction.

They called quite a bit last playoffs

 

[SensFan4lyfe]

Ruff established a offensive only approach as he did in multiple other places that gets worked defensively against teams that “play the right way”.

If the Devils bring in a coach that can get their stars committed to playing defense they’ll be better for it.

Especially when you consider Hischer is already a 2 way stud, Hughes has taken leaps, and they’ve got a nice group of defensive defensemen in Marino and Siegs.

Nah there fine with Ruff

They dont need a new coach

Its fun to see a team play differently than the typical boring denfense first system

 

[Gurglesons]

Nah there fine with Ruff

They dont need a new coach

Its fun to see a team play differently than the typical boring denfense first system

As someone who loves that style of hockey. It won’t win.

I know from personal experience.

 

[Will Hunting]

They are not the best in Metro. Not at all.

 

[Forge]

As someone who loves that style of hockey. It won’t win.

I know from personal experience.

It's fun to watch though, I will say that

 

[Maplebeasts]

They're a pretty good team that should make the playoffs. Definitely not second best team in the league good though like their record indicated.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

It's the best league in the world for a reason. NJ surprised teams with their play to start, teams are adjusting. It doesn't take long to create a book on teams/players. Now it's on NJ to adjust back and show they're an elite team. It's an ever evolving chess match.

 

[Forge]

They're a pretty good team that should make the playoffs. Definitely not second best team in the league good though like their record indicated.

Pretty much. I'd be surprised if they don't make the playoffs, but even if they do, they were probably always more of a spunky 7/8 seed who just caught fire for a stretch

 

[Will Hunting]

It's the best league in the world for a reason. NJ surprised teams with their play to start, teams are adjusting. It doesn't take long to create a book on teams/players. Now it's on NJ to adjust back and show they're an elite team. It's an ever evolving chess match.

They will have to do it against the competition that is not the easiest in the league tho. Like it clealy was in October and November.

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

Carolina is #1 in points and points percentage since the start of the 21 season.

A ~113 point pace team getting caught is a reflection of the strength of the division/conference more than anything.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I don't think the Devils have the goaltending or the forward group they need to maintain their hot start. I don't think the Devils are lacking talent in their forward group, but it looks so one-dimensional.

Their defense is insane, though. Just an absolutely terrific group built exactly how you should want to build a D group.

 

[BrockLobster]

Imagine after that run being KOd from 1st a week and a half later